I've found bobtailed 1911's obviously, and picatinny railed 1911's too. And commander sized 1911's are easy to find. The hard part, is finding that ALL together. I've found 5" with the rail and bobtail, but never a 4.25".

I have a classic styled, bare bones 1911 that I love to shoot. I wanted a traditional 1911. Now I kind of want to have a fancy 1911, with bells and whistles. But I'm afriad I want it TOO specific to obtain without some custom work.

I would suggest getting a Springfield Armory Light Weight Champion Operator and having it bobtailed.

August 18th, 2011, 10:45 PM

TN_Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollo

I would suggest getting a Springfield Armory Light Weight Champion Operator and having it bobtailed.

I would tend to agree with Rollo.

August 18th, 2011, 10:56 PM

gasmitty

Another vote for starting with a quality gun you like and having it bobtailed.

The Fusions look nice, but alas, all that glitters is not gold. My best friend went the kit route with a Fusion Bobtail, but probably more than half the small bits (you know, the trivial stuff, like the hammer) dd not fit and had to be returned more than once. I'm not talking about simple fitting, parts needed serious work beyond filing and stoning to get them to fit, much less work harmoniously. Fusion was helpful over the phone and accommodating with the parts returns, but in the end my buddy had a gun that would not function. He ended up dropping several hundred with a talented .45 specialist to make the gun run - wiping out the savings promised by the kit approach. Maybe their finished guns work better? I'm not interested enough to find out.

August 19th, 2011, 01:06 AM

zonker1986

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollo

I would suggest getting a Springfield Armory Light Weight Champion Operator and having it bobtailed.

This would be a good base gun for your project. Around $850 on the internet, or add $100 from a local GS....then have it bobbed. I just could't bring myself to do that to ma "Boy". He's proud of his tail. BTW, that SIG in the Photobucket is a 1911 variant, and not a real 1911.....which is why I don't own one. Nice guns to be sure, but if you are gonna drop the funds on a good 1911, get a real one.

The Springfield does look great. All it's missing is the bobtail! I think that might be the one. I wonder how much it costs to have it bob-tailed? Now, the hard part.... saving the money. I'm currently putting a clutch in my car and saving to build the head, I want a Glock 20, M1-A, and now this.... I don't make enough money to fund my hobbies.

August 19th, 2011, 08:04 AM

archer51

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKM

The Springfield does look great. All it's missing is the bobtail! I think that might be the one. I wonder how much it costs to have it bob-tailed? Now, the hard part.... saving the money. I'm currently putting a clutch in my car and saving to build the head, I want a Glock 20, M1-A, and now this.... I don't make enough money to fund my hobbies.

Do any of us?!!

Another vote for the Springer and having it bobbed.

August 19th, 2011, 09:20 AM

JD

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKM

The Springfield does look great. All it's missing is the bobtail! I think that might be the one. I wonder how much it costs to have it bob-tailed? Now, the hard part.... saving the money. I'm currently putting a clutch in my car and saving to build the head, I want a Glock 20, M1-A, and now this.... I don't make enough money to fund my hobbies.

The Springfield Custom Shop can bob it, you may be able to have your dealer order it the way you want it, a bob job will also require refinishing of the frame and runs around $200.

August 19th, 2011, 09:53 AM

jwhite75

I agree somewhat with the other posters who suggest getting an OEM gun and bobbing it. Fusion if I am not mistaken will buil your gun for you if you dont wanna do the kit yourself, and pretty much do it any way you want. That is why I suggested them.

The Operator would be a great start.

August 19th, 2011, 11:00 AM

GM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

The Springfield Custom Shop can bob it, you may be able to have your dealer order it the way you want it, a bob job will also require refinishing of the frame and runs around $200.

You can send the firearm directly to Springfield’s Custom Shop, and when they are done they will ship it directly to you.

August 19th, 2011, 11:36 AM

zonker1986

OK, I'm not a 1911 expert. Own a couple including the SA LW Champ above, but what exactly is the benefit of "bobbing" the tail of your 1911?

August 19th, 2011, 12:31 PM

JD

Quote:

Originally Posted by zonker1986

OK, I'm not a 1911 expert. Own a couple including the SA LW Champ above, but what exactly is the benefit of "bobbing" the tail of your 1911?

Ed Brown came up with the idea...

Quote:

BobtailTMHousing
A unique, patent-pending modification to your Government Model frame that transforms it into a Round-Butt pistol. It consists of a specially manufactured housing and frame modification. The BobtailTM removes a full ½" of excess metal from the bottom rear of the gun, where the mainspring housing pin is located. This not only reduces the weight, but solves two well-known problems of carrying a 1911. First, it drastically increases comfort during carry. There is no sharp butt to poke you in the ribs. Second, it increases concealment during carry, because the hardest thing to conceal on a 1911 style pistol has always been the sharp, projecting butt.

August 19th, 2011, 12:51 PM

zonker1986

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

Ed Brown came up with the idea...

thank you. Kinda thought along those lines, but was not sure. Appreciate the education.

August 19th, 2011, 10:14 PM

RKM

I honestly just like the look of a bobtail, despite it being a functional aspect to carry. I like 1911's enough to carry, but I've said it over and over, I personally don't like manual safeties on carry guns (unless you can safely carry DA mode with safety off). So this won't be a carry gun, just something to have, shoot and look at.